All of it started so effectively. Lower than two minutes into Ruben Amorim’s first sport, a 12 months in the past this week at Ipswich City, Marcus Rashford put Manchester United in entrance at Portman Highway and optimism was excessive.
In an indication of issues to come back, the keenness shortly disappeared, with the sport ending in a 1-1 draw and United occurring to complete fifteenth in Amorim’s debut season.
This 12 months issues have not been significantly better both, with United tenth after a 1-0 house defeat by Everton on Monday evening.
In all, 34 gamers have turned out for United underneath Amorim, and right here NATHAN SALT charges all of them out of 10. Who has shone? Who must be given extra sport time? And who will followers be delighted to see gone?
The Ruben Amorim period started with a flying begin when Marcus Rashford opened the scoring at Ipswich City inside two minutes
However shortly the keenness pale and Amorim suffered a devastating Europa League closing defeat by Tottenham
Monday evening’s defeat by Everton leaves United tenth within the desk, having completed fifteenth in Amorim’s debut season
GOALKEEPERS
Andre Onana – 3/10
Appearances underneath Amorim: 35 Targets underneath Amorim: 0
Man of the match in Ruben Amorim’s first sport answerable for Manchester United… it is honest to say that gave a misunderstanding of what was to observe.
Put the entire stadium on edge given his propensity to make errors with Nottingham Forest (twice) and Ipswich City at house, Viktoria Plzen and Lyon away, Tottenham Hotspur in Europa League closing and Grimsby City away within the Carabao Cup all springing to thoughts.
Had loads of alternatives to point out he may be dependable however he would all the time undo a great efficiency with a calamitous mistake to the purpose the place Amorim and United minimize their losses earlier than this season even started.
Altay Bayindir – 4/10
Appearances: 14 Targets: 0
Within the Amorim period, Turkish goalkeeper Bayindir has simply two clear sheets in his 14 video games, transport 27 objectives.
Bayindir was the hero in a penalty shootout on the Emirates Stadium within the FA Cup in January however highlights have been sparse.
Followers are nonetheless reeling from his shows towards Tottenham within the Carabao Cup (4-3 loss), Newcastle United within the Premier League (4-1 loss), and the 2025-26 season opener towards Arsenal (1-0) when he was bullied at a nook because the Gunners profited. His shaky Manchester derby show, too, wrote him out of the first-team image.
Publicly Amorim backed him, however Bayindir by no means satisfied and all the time seemed to have a expensive mistake in him.
United followers are nonetheless reeling from Altay Bayindir’s show in a 4-3 loss to Tottenham within the Carabao Cup
Senne Lammens – 7/10
Appearances: 6 Targets: 0
Amorim didn’t throw him in on the deep finish after becoming a member of from Royal Antwerp this summer time. However after two defeats within the three video games by which he sat out, Lammens was thrust right into a aspect that went on to go unbeaten in 5 of the previous six video games.
He has introduced a composure to United that different goalkeepers earlier than him didn’t and whereas there are a few errors in there – Danny Welbeck’s free-kick for Brighton and Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor’s winner for Everton – Lammens has been one of many web positives.
DEFENDERS
Diogo Dalot – 5/10
Appearances: 46 Targets: 3
Considered one of Amorim’s favourites, solely Bruno Fernandes has performed extra video games underneath their fellow Portuguese than Dalot.
His three objectives en path to the Europa League closing have been essential, however largely talking, Dalot is a supply of actual frustration amongst supporters for his restricted manufacturing at wing-back.
Three assists in 32 league video games is an indication that issues most likely will not abruptly enhance in that division regardless of being usually picked to play there.
Solely Bruno Fernandes has performed extra video games underneath Amorim than defender Diogo Dalot (pictured)
Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10
Appearances: 46 Targets: 0
One other Amorim favorite. He began 10 of the 11 video games en path to the Europa League closing and his versatility has meant Amorim has used him at centre again, left wing-back and proper wing-back over his tenure.
The problem, exterior of accidents this season, is that he merely doesn’t have the attacking aspect of the sport to play as a wing-back in a system that hinges on manufacturing from that place.
However fixed deployment in these wing-back roles falls at Amorim’s door, not Mazraoui’s.
Leny Yoro – 6.5/10
Appearances: 45 Targets: 1
The Frenchman turned 20 only a couple weeks again and whereas he’s removed from flawless at this stage of his profession, it’s value factoring in how spectacular it’s to be enjoying this usually at his age, and given the big highlight on the membership.
He had an evening to overlook towards Everton however there are clear indicators that Yoro may very well be an excellent footballer within the years to come back.
The most important query mark is across the ongoing insistence to play him at proper centre again when his type of play would recommend he’s much better within the center, or on the left. Typically it appears like he’s not being put in the most effective scenario to succeed.
There are clear indicators that 20-year-old defender Leny Yoro may very well be an excellent footballer within the years to come back
Matthijs de Ligt – 7.5/10
Appearances: 40 Targets: 2
The most effective of the bunch for defenders underneath Amorim.
He has stepped up as a frontrunner and produced some clutch moments, most just lately the late header at Tottenham to rescue a draw.
He performed so effectively he’s now again in World Cup competition for the Netherlands, one thing that at one stage appeared extremely unbelievable given their depth of expertise within the centre-back place.
Harry Maguire – 7/10
Appearances: 40 Targets: 5
Maguire produced arguably the one biggest second within the Amorim period along with his late winner at Previous Trafford towards Lyon, and he has stepped up massive time for his supervisor.
Seven aim contributions throughout 40 video games – Lyon and his late winner at Anfield to beat Liverpool stand out – in addition to being the participant that always fronts up on and off the pitch when the going will get powerful.
He is not likely a defender that matches Amorim’s system, however he will get the job finished when that system inevitably breaks down and fails. Mr Dependable for probably the most half.
Harry Maguire has produced among the finest moments of the Amorim period – together with a late winner away to Liverpool
Patrick Dorgu – 4/10
Appearances: 32 Targets: 0
Introduced in final January to be a spark plug for a workforce crying out for some reliability at left wing-back, Dorgu’s improvement has largely stalled.
Two assists throughout 32 video games – within the second leg towards Actual Sociedad final season and this season within the league towards Chelsea – tells the story of a younger participant who nonetheless seems to be each bit the uncooked prospect many suspected he can be.
He ought to enhance however proper now he’s so up and down at a time the place United are determined for dependable manufacturing, particularly given the nice crossing positions that the Dane so usually finds himself in.
Luke Shaw – 6/10
Appearances: 24 Targets: 0
The Englishman has gone from a relative non-factor final season to a mainstay on this one, having began all 12 video games within the Premier League in 2025-26.
The Manchester derby defeat was significantly unhealthy from a private perspective, however Shaw has received loads of plaudits thus far this season to the purpose the place his title has been bandied about in dialog for England as soon as once more.
Given his rotten luck with accidents, many had written him off, so he deserves credit score for changing into an everyday starter once more, even when Gary Neville thinks he’s ‘conning’ individuals within the sport.
Given his rotten luck with accidents prior to now, Luke Shaw deserves credit score for changing into an everyday starter once more
Victor Lindelof – 5/10
Appearances: 18 Targets: 0
Lindelof did step up in an enormous manner to assist United get previous Athletic Bilbao and attain the Europa League closing. Amorim handed him six Premier League begins final season and he even wore the captain’s armband in a defeat by Wolves.
Lindelof and Amorim have been as soon as team-mates at Benfica nevertheless it felt just like the Swede was being picked out of necessity fairly than need in the direction of the again finish of final season. Little effort was put into making him a future piece of this puzzle and he joined Aston Villa on a free switch in the summertime.
Lisandro Martinez – 5/10
Appearances: 16 Targets: 2
Was one in every of Amorim’s go-to males till struggling a cruciate ligament harm in February that he’s solely simply now coming back from.
Excessive factors embrace scoring at Anfield and the profitable aim away to Fulham, in addition to getting an help on the Etihad Stadium. The low is especially his lack of availability.
Given his technical skill-set as a passer from the again, there are excessive hopes he is usually a large part of an Amorim system that has seemed largely very dysfunctional in his absence.
Lisandro Martinez’s excessive factors underneath Amorim embrace scoring at Anfield in a 2-2 draw again in January… however a cruciate ligament harm has ruined his 2025
Ayden Heaven – 6/10
Appearances: 9 Targets: 0
Amorim has made all the appropriate noises in terms of Heaven and there’s hope that he can go on to be one in every of United’s higher centre backs in years to come back.
However Amorim has not used him a lot since he impressed on debut within the Europa League towards Actual Sociedad, and lots of followers are eager to see extra of the person they poached from Arsenal’s academy in February.
Tyrell Malacia – 4/10
Appearances: 8 Targets: 0
In eight video games underneath Amorim, the Dutch wing-back managed to play greater than 45 minutes simply as soon as.
Health was all the time the difficulty with Malacia and he was not obtainable sufficient to be a participant Amorim may rely upon.
He was absorbed into the ‘Bomb Squad’ in the course of the summer time earlier than working his manner again into the group via his good angle after a transfer away didn’t materialise. It appears unlikely, nonetheless, that he’ll play for the membership once more.
Harry Amass – 6.5/10
Appearances: 7 Targets: 0
The academy graduate deserves an enormous quantity of credit score for forcing his manner into the primary workforce underneath Amorim, who has persistently proven how tough a street that’s for younger gamers to navigate.
Harry Amass (left) deserves credit score for forcing his manner into the primary workforce underneath Amorim – no simple process for a younger participant
He received his breakthrough off the bench away to Leicester Metropolis in March, earlier than beginning within the league for the primary time at Newcastle United.
The 18-year-old, who’s now on mortgage at Sheffield Wednesday, was one of many shiny spots of a traditionally unhealthy 2024-25 season.
Tyler Fredricson – 5/10
Appearances: 3 Targets: 0
Fredricson is one other who finds himself within the uncommon place of a United academy participant handed a senior debut by Amorim.
Confirmed loads of promise in that debut, a 1-0 house defeat towards Wolves, however he was not put ready to reach video games away at Brentford and Grimsby City, and was hooked at half-time within the latter.
He would profit immensely from going out on a mortgage to achieve expertise.
Tyler Fredricson (left) was hooked at half-time in United’s humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby City
Jonny Evans – 6/10
Appearances: 3 Targets: 1
Three appearances underneath Amorim for the now retired Jonny Evans. He began the opening sport of the Amorim period at Ipswich and got here off the bench within the closing league sport of final season to see out a clear sheet towards Aston Villa at Previous Trafford.
He performed a restricted position on the pitch however was a priceless sounding board off it, and is now main the membership’s loans division.
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes – 7.5/10
Appearances: 53 Targets: 17
Amorim’s most trusted lieutenant. Fernandes has performed extra video games underneath Amorim than another participant and it’s not simply because he wears the captain’s armband.
He scored seven objectives within the Europa League en path to the ultimate after Amorim took cost and it was Fernandes’ under-performance in Bilbao that was most irritating, given he has so usually been the person to cowl up for the clear and apparent issues within the workforce.
Repeatedly comes up with large moments, whether or not it’s scoring on the Etihad Stadium, scoring a late penalty to beat Burnley 3-2, producing the cross for Maguire’s winner at Anfield, or the nook that was nodded in by De Ligt at Tottenham.
Debate nonetheless rages over whether or not United ought to money in for Saudi cash come the summer time as a part of a midfield rebuild however the phrase getting back from contained in the membership is: watch out what you want for.
Bruno Fernandes is United’s talisman and scored seven objectives within the Europa League en path to the ultimate
Manuel Ugarte – 4/10
Appearances: 44 Targets: 2
Has performed underneath Amorim at Sporting and United however was very a lot in his unhealthy books final week, publicly challenged for coaching at an insufficient customary.
Ugarte struggled badly in video games away to Man Metropolis and Brentford this season when protecting for Casemiro, and that’s added to by the truth that Amorim reportedly confronted him within the dressing room in entrance of team-mates over his efficiency degree.
United spent £50.5million to get him out of PSG in the summertime of 2024 however they’re already planning an overhaul of central midfield subsequent summer time. Fallen effectively in need of expectation.
Casemiro – 7/10
Appearances: 37 Targets: 5
When Amorim first arrived on the membership Casemiro was, in his head coach’s personal phrases, behind so many gamers within the midfield pecking order.
He had been written off by outstanding pundits resembling Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports activities and the final feeling was that he may now not contribute.
That has not been the case and, this season specifically, Casemiro’s renaissance has been on full show. Each day Mail Sport wrote just lately about how he’s turned it round with the assistance of those that know him finest.
Amorim deserves credit score for his position in squeezing higher performances out of the Brazilian, who will now go to the World Cup as one in every of his nation’s most essential gamers.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5/10
Appearances: 37 Targets: 2
An absence of minutes for Mainoo has been one in every of supporters’ greatest gripes within the Amorim period.
Amorim has given each impression that he doesn’t really feel like he can belief Mainoo within the two-man pivot alongside Fernandes
The Portuguese head coach has given each impression that he doesn’t really feel like he can belief Mainoo within the two-man pivot alongside Fernandes, whereas there are a surplus of choices within the No 10 place forward of the England worldwide.
Mainoo hasn’t performed greater than 45 minutes in a league match this season and whereas the previous 12 months introduced the excessive of scoring in that thriller towards Lyon, being saved on the periphery is weighing so heavy on Mainoo that one in every of United’s personal is searching for a mortgage transfer away in January.
It appears like he has been poorly dealt with.
Christian Eriksen – 5/10
Appearances: 22 Targets: 1
An actual bit-part participant underneath Amorim however he did change into dependable amid accidents to others as he performed in 11 of the final 12 league video games final season.
Signed off his United profession with a aim within the closing league sport at house towards Aston Villa.
By no means received off the bench within the greatest sport of the season, the Europa League closing, and was allowed to depart on a free switch.
Christian Eriksen (No14) signed off his United profession with a aim towards Aston Villa final season
Toby Collyer – 4/10
Appearances: 10 Targets: 0
Acquired a handful of alternatives however by no means managed to persuade Amorim in his cameos that he was prepared for the step as much as change into an everyday.
Made a key clearance off the road towards Fulham however was then shipped off on mortgage to West Bromwich Albion within the Championship.
FORWARDS
Rasmus Hojlund – 4/10
Appearances: 40 Targets: 8
Provided that Amorim’s system requires strikers to play with their again to aim too usually, Hojlund’s massive weak spot, significantly within the Premier League, appeared to be amplified underneath this supervisor.
In Europe final season he had actual moments of promise, scoring back-to-back braces towards Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen.
Hojlund by no means kicked up a fuss and even in the latest pre-season tour of the US he went public nearly pleading for the possibility to get the chance, alongside new signings like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, to enhance himself.
Amorim gave each impression he didn’t imagine in Hojlund or in his potential to get extra out of him, packaging him off to regain prime type with Napoli.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4/10
Appearances: 40 Targets: 4
Performed a ton underneath Amorim however their time collectively shall be remembered for the bitter exit of some of the proficient gamers to emerge from the membership’s academy prior to now few years.
There was to be no coming again when Garnacho ripped into his supervisor for his restricted involvement within the Europa League closing, ultimately spiralling into being frozen out till he may pressure via a transfer to Chelsea.
Actually no love misplaced between Amorim and a participant he didn’t imagine was pretty much as good as Garnacho thought he was.
There was no love misplaced between Amorim and Alejandro Garnacho, with the latter livid at his minimal involvement within the Europa League closing loss to Tottenham
Amad Diallo – 7.5/10
Appearances: 39 Targets: 9
Maybe the one participant that has obtained probably the most teaching of any underneath Amorim, who it’s honest to level the finger at in terms of participant improvement.
Amorim recognized earlier that he needed to make use of Amorim as a wing-back similar to he did with Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda.
Amad received an help from that place within the first sport of his time in cost away at Ipswich and has largely thrived there ever since.
The aspect seems to be to have much better stability with the Ivorian there provided that the most important criticism of Amorim is for having too many defensive-minded gamers on the pitch.
Amad has had lots occurring off the pitch in his life however he’s been a shiny mild since Amorim took cost.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4/10
Appearances: 38 Targets: 6
Featured within the first 21 video games of Amorim’s reign, enhancing markedly after he was taken off 33 minutes into the sport towards Newcastle and went down the tunnel in tears.
Has been a relative non-factor this season, solely managing 90 minutes of soccer in whole previous to his first begin towards Everton on Monday.
He didn’t take that likelihood on the evening and his future prospects now look ominous. A sufferer of the actual fact he doesn’t seem to have a pure place in Amorim’s system and there was little try to accommodate him inside it.
Hasn’t scored a Premier League aim since December 1 final 12 months.
Joshua Zirkzee is a sufferer of the actual fact he doesn’t seem to have a pure place in Amorim’s system and there was little try to accommodate him inside it
Mason Mount – 6/10
Appearances: 31 Targets: 4
A participant that divides opinion however definitely one which Amorim is a big fan of.
His greatest problem has been staying match and a hamstring downside plagued him for an prolonged stretch final season which meant he was a relative non-factor, scoring only one Premier League aim underneath Amorim in 2024-25.
Exhibits flashes of being good for this 3-4-2-1 system however must do much more when it comes to objectives and assists if he’s enjoying so excessive up the pitch as one of many No 10s.
His worth extends past simply numbers, however simply two Premier League objectives and nil league assists has to carry his general ranking down.
Bryan Mbeumo – 8/10
Appearances: 13 Targets: 6
The most effective Manchester United signing since Fernandes, plain and easy.
Mbeumo’s performances – he received Premier League Participant of the Month for October – vindicated why Amorim and the powers that be at Previous Trafford prioritised Premier League confirmed gamers.
Six objectives and an help throughout 13 video games highlights simply how essential he has change into to United’s mini enchancment of late.
Has the health and stamina to satisfy Amorim’s powerful bodily calls for that he locations on gamers, is linking up effectively with Amad and is a twin risk for objectives and assists.
Shedding Mbeumo to the Africa Cup of Nations, probably proper till its conclusion with Cameroon concentrating on a deep run, is disastrous.
Bryan Mbeumo is the most effective Manchester United signing since Fernandes, plain and easy
Benjamin Sesko – 6/10
Appearances: 12 Targets: 2
The Slovenian has taken loads of criticism within the media for his shows, a few of which has been overblown for my part.
Sesko has dramatically elevated United’s link-up play, the place beforehand they have been unable to carry the ball up with Hojlund. Now with Lammens’ lengthy kicks and Sesko’s aerial potential they’re a unique beast in that section of play.
However finally he shall be judged on objectives and he has simply two to his title via 12 matches, which isn’t sufficient for a participant that price £73.7m.
Sesko is at the moment sidelined with harm for an additional couple of weeks and with the Africa Cup of Nations decimating this squad in different departments quickly, it’s crucial he hits the bottom operating on his return.
Matheus Cunha – 6.5/10
Appearances: 11 Targets: 1
Those that pay sole consideration to the stats will assume that Cunha, who scored 15 Premier League objectives final season, has flopped at Manchester United given he’s scored simply as soon as for his new membership.
That isn’t actually a good evaluation of what Cunha has produced, usually placing in very, very helpful performances. It has been telling that United have seemed considerably worse off with out him within the workforce.
He has missed some gilt-edged probabilities – Fulham stands out – and did miss a decisive penalty at Grimsby City, however general the indicators have been shiny for the Brazilian since his £62.5m transfer, particularly given he seems to be good for Amorim’s system.
Matheus Cunha has missed some gilt-edged probabilities, however general the indicators have been shiny for the Brazilian since his £62.5m transfer
Antony – 3/10
Appearances: 9 Targets: 0
Acquired 257 minutes of motion underneath Amorim earlier than being pushed out on mortgage after producing zero objectives and nil assists.
He began simply two of these 9 matches which maybe confirmed simply how little religion Amorim had in a participant that his predecessor Erik ten Hag guess the home on.
Chido Obi – 4/10
Appearances: 8 Targets: 0
Was thrown in out of necessity on the again finish of final season resulting from a scarcity of ahead choices and whereas Amorim tried to be complimentary concerning the teen’s efficiency on the time, he was rather more forthright prior to now week.
‘I feel he began too quickly and typically it is arduous to take care of that, with the youngsters, as a result of they suppose that I am already right here,’ Amorim stated. ‘No, you’re right here for necessity, and we should be cautious additionally with that, with the youngsters.’
It was a fairly pointed remark that didn’t shock too many behind the scenes. Obi is growing effectively with the Beneath 21s this season whereas seeing a few of his academy friends going previous him within the battle to interrupt into the primary workforce.
Marcus Rashford – 4/10
Appearances: 6 Targets: 3
Simply 5 video games after Marcus Rashford scored the opening aim of the Amorim period he was frozen out and ultimately pushed out the door, first to Aston Villa after which to Barcelona
Simply 5 video games after he scored the opening aim of the Amorim period he was frozen out and ultimately pushed out the door, first to Aston Villa after which to Barcelona.
Rashford went public that he was ‘prepared for a brand new problem’ after being disregarded of the squad for the Manchester derby final season. It grew to become an actual saga that was problematic for all concerned.
With six objectives for Barca on mortgage this season and his performances enhancing, he could effectively transfer depart Previous Trafford completely for Catalonia in the summertime.
